Overview & Reviews

Chrysler is generally considered part of the Big Three, a title that refers to the traditional triumvirate of domestic automakers. The current accuracy of this classification is open for debate, but there's no debating the fact that Chrysler has experienced a revival of sorts over the past few years.

Chrysler Corporation was founded in 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler, a noted machinist; he'd purchased the Maxwell Motor Corporation of Detroit and used it as the foundation for his new company. The automaker quickly earned a reputation for advanced engineering. In 1928, Chrysler Corporation expanded with the purchase of Dodge and the creation of the DeSoto and Plymouth divisions.

The 1930s saw Chrysler boldly looking toward the future with the introduction of its revolutionary Airflow. Powered by a front-mounted inline-8, the car was one of the first to be designed with aerodynamics in mind, and featured swooping lines and a prominent grille. Perhaps a bit too ahead of its time, the Airflow was a flop with the public. Chrysler was able to survive the lean years of the Depression thanks to strong sales of its entry-level Dodge and Plymouth brands, whose vehicles boasted more traditional designs and much lower price tags.

Chrysler shined postwar. For a period in the late 1940s, it even surpassed Ford as the No. 2 U.S. automaker. The company's storied "Hemi" V8 engine debuted in 1951. Offering 180 horsepower, it was a significant improvement over Chrysler's previous 135-hp V8. The Hemi engine was meant to trounce the V8 offered by Cadillac, Chrysler's rival, and it kick-started Detroit's horsepower race of the 1950s and '60s. The '50s also saw the debut of treasured Chrysler classics like the handsome Town and Country and the sleek 300C.

By 1961, Chrysler had trimmed its line of brands by dropping the DeSoto nameplate. New technologies were also afoot, such as unibody construction (Chrysler was the first of the Big Three to introduce it) and the replacement of generators with alternators for a car's charging system. In the latter half of the '60s, Chrysler was heavily involved with NASCAR and producing performance-oriented cars.

At the same time, however, dark clouds were gathering. As with other domestic automakers, the 1970s proved to be a difficult decade due to the oil crisis, new government regulations and changing consumer tastes. A costly and ineffective overseas expansion further hurt the company's bottom line. By the late '70s, the company was in such financial disarray that it petitioned the government for $1.5 billion in loan guarantees to save it from bankruptcy.

Thanks to impressive public campaigning by then-chairman Lee Iacocca, the debut of the well-received K-car platform and the creation of the modern minivan, sales had improved dramatically by the mid-'80s. The government's loan was paid off seven years early. The picture further brightened in the late 1980s with Chrysler's purchase of American Motors Corporation (which netted the company the Jeep brand) and a joint venture with Mitsubishi known as Diamond Star Motors.

Success continued through the early 1990s. In 1998, German-based Daimler-Benz merged with Chrysler to form DaimlerChrysler. At the time, this deal was presented as a merger of equals. But it quickly became apparent that it was more of a purchase, with Daimler being the dominant partner.

Less than a decade later, that merger was no longer, as Daimler sold Chrysler (and Dodge) to a private equity firm in 2007. However, that merger had borne some worthwhile fruit, most notably in the form of the Chrysler 300 full-size sedan. The latter shared some chassis components with an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class platform.

As such, the 300 was a highlight for Chrysler that had a pleasingly solid feel to its driving dynamics that was further sweetened via an available powerful V8 engine. But soon after the split, America's economy slid into recession. Due to poor sales and debt, Chrysler had to declare bankruptcy and the federal government intervened with bailout loans. Eventually Chrysler came under control of Italy's Fiat.

Today, the lineup has been pared down to a pair of sedans, a convertible and a minivan. However, after years of having lackluster entries in the very important midsize car category, Chrysler made major improvements in the performance, design and quality of its midsize sedan entry, the 200. The latest 300 also stands as a prime choice for a premium full-size sedan. Still, it remains to be seen as to whether this and future product releases will be enough to restore the company to its former glory.

User Reviews:

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  Cool Pacifica 2006 - 2006 Chrysler Pacifica
  By AKA - June 30 - 3:36 pm

  This has been couple of weeks for my new 2006 Pacifica Touring. 1) Looks good both in and out 2) Cloth interior seats are comfy 3) Controls are easy 4) Some features are like luxury car 5) Second row seat center console is no value. 6) Engine is very noisy and sluggish 7) Something must be done for the driver side blind spot 8) The controls on the steering are not visible during the night i.e., no background light.

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  Surprise Surprise - 2001 Chrysler Sebring
  By michael c - June 28 - 11:08 am

  The circumstances I got my Sebring in is another story, but it wasnt my initial choice. I was skeptical of Chryslers having owned a Neon that was a turd. But it turns out its just a Mitsubishi Eclipse in a Sebring body! It has been a great car. I do regular maintenance myself, and have used premium fuel and synthetic oil since the first change. It runs as strong with 7 yrs and 83,000 miles as it did with 10 days and 100.

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  Happy New Pacifica Owners - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By TexMorgan - June 28 - 10:00 am

  We puchased an AWD Pacifica a couple of weeks ago and just love it!! What a lot of car for the money. The MSRP was $41K but we got it for $34,977 (+$399 D+H) Chysler sent out a mailer for a free Nav System (about $1600) and we also got a $1K rebate from Chrysler. Made this quite affordable vs. the competition!! We have the DVD system, which is great for the kids! We looked at the domestic and import luxury SUVs, but one test drive of this car, along with the price, and the decision was made! This car gets a lot of looks on the road. Power could be better, as others have stated, but we have no regrets.

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  Great Choice - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By happycamper2 - June 28 - 10:00 am

  This car is definitely worth a test drive. I had my heart set on a different SUV but after driving this car immediately knew it was for me. Great buy for a car with so many pluses.

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  300C - Excellence on wheels - 2005 Chrysler 300
  By ALTON hORTMAN - June 27 - 12:36 pm

  This is the most noticed and complimented automobile I have ever owned. Luxurious on the inside as well as comfortable. Options to customize the comfort of the driver are remembered by the key. The new HEMI is fuel efficient by turning off 4 cylinders at crusing speed - you dont even notice. The long wheelbase and 20 inch tires provide not only comfort, but also effortless acceleration. You dont feel like you are accelerating very fast until you look down at the speedometer. The protection package is an engineering marvel. I cant tell you how pleased I am to own one.

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  Beware! - 2008 Chrysler Sebring
  By Never Again!! - June 27 - 11:12 am

  I loved this car when I saw it. It has great features BUT 2 days after purchase I had a U-Connect problem, it has been serviced 5 times and in the shop 12 out of the 30 days that I have had it so far. I wish I had read these reviews because no one is lying here. They really need to start over with this car. Technical support is no support, no one seems to know the resolution. This was my first convertible and now the excitement is gone. I am stuck with a lemon I do believe. After reading the other reviews I guess I will have many more additional problems. Thats just great!

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  2004 Pacifica - Chrysler should keep it - 2004 Chrysler Pacifica
  By John - June 26 - 7:56 am

  This car gives you much confidence on the road. It feels extremely solid , very smooth at highway speeds and brakes that are powerful. Never thought I would use the Auto/manual trans but a trip through the mountains of W Va. made me very happy we had it. Seating for 1st 2 rows is excellent, 3rd row is the penalty box. Accessories are over and above what we need. At 47,000 miles we have had 1 "fit and finish" issue with one of the roof rails (dealer fixed on the 3rd try) and the fuel gauge stopped working (1st try fix). We were rear ended by a VW Jetta. Jetta was totaled. Pacifica, just under $3,000 for the rear bumper, exhaust etc. This car is very safe. Would buy another

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  Great car even to drive in 2008! - 1997 Chrysler LHS
  By B Peek - June 25 - 6:22 pm

  This car has been a great car. My mother in law bought it used in 2001. It only now has 53K miles on it and it is so comfortable. I am now driving it and really like it. I save my 08 Escalade and have fun driving this 1997! I cant believe the gas mileage I get (no wonder I dont drive the Escalade)! I will keep it forever I think. It is has always been in the garage and shows like a new one. Paint is great and still looks new!

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  Touring sports car - 2005 Chrysler Pacifica
  By bill - June 24 - 1:09 pm

  Drives like a high priced sedan great ride and comfort great styling and room for the Family Chrysler has not done a very good job marketing this vehicle, Compared to the new dodge SUV there is no comparing the two the Pacifica is a far superior beast ! look for your self.

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  Best And Most Fun Car Ive Owned - 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
  By SCBoy87 - June 23 - 9:06 pm

  I love my new Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible. It is peppy and has great acceleration. The manual transmission is easy to operate and the linkage a dream. I have had numerous compliments and I have enjoyed the camaraderie of other PT enthusiasts who flash each other a wave or send a toot of the horn. If you want a comfortable, fun car -- this is the ticket. My only disappointment is in the MPG, which Id hoped would be better, but then I think that with the "powers that be" MPG is institutionally designed to be poor. My PT still gets better MPG than anything else that I currently own. I am very impressed with the quality in construction of every detail inside and out. A great car!